Madam Jiang, however, didn’t care much about what Yang Yiniang said. She just cared about the information she provided. Her attitude was one of cold detachment, but she had to acknowledge the usefulness of the warning.
Yang Yiniang was unbothered by the humiliation as long as it was for her son’s benefit. She was willing to bow down and endure anything for him.
Looking at Madam Jiang, who had a serious expression, Yang Yiniang felt a sense of relief. After a moment, she added, “Madam, I fear the person outside isn’t just an ordinary temptress. What worries me is someone with ill intentions. Our family is now very different from before. The shizi and second young master are both upright and self-disciplined. If they can’t find a way in, they will surely target the master.”
Madam Jiang: …
Yang Yiniang had truly said everything, hadn’t she? What could Madam Jiang say in response?
She found herself irritated by Yang Yiniang, yet the sight of the concubine bowing down to her brought a sense of satisfaction, a feeling of control.
She had thought about speaking harshly to vent her frustration, but then she remembered her family’s own troubles and the troublesome eldest daughter.
She wasn’t sure whether others would suffer from this, but she knew she would certainly be the one to face the consequences.
The harsh words she had prepared were swallowed back down, leaving her stuck, caught in a difficult position. Despite everything, she now had to treat a concubine with courtesy.
However, recalling how Duan Ning had treated her as the legitimate mother, and what he had said last time…
Madam Jiang pursed her lips. “I understand this matter. You may go now. I will send someone to investigate.”
Yang Yiniang was stunned. Just like that?
Madam Jiang wasn’t going to take the opportunity to humiliate or belittle her?
She let her go so easily, actually believing her words?
Seeing the strange look on Yang Yiniang’s face, Madam Jiang suddenly felt a flicker of understanding between them. Her face darkened in an instant.
When Yang Yiniang saw this, she quickly knelt and bowed, “Thank you, Madam. I will take my leave now.”
If she didn’t leave soon, she would truly be scolded.
Madam Jiang: …
She was furious!
After Yang Yiniang left, Madam Jiang thought carefully. Though Yang Yiniang’s words were somewhat improper, they seemed very true. Thinking about her husband recently being out all the time and often not coming home at night, her face darkened even more.
She called over a trusted maid and whispered a few instructions. The maid nodded and left.
Luo Mama, seeing that the Madam’s face was not good, softly comforted her, “Madam, please don’t be angry. Perhaps Yang Yiniang is just mistaken.”
Madam Jiang looked at Luo Mama after hearing this, “Do you also think Yang Yiniang isn’t lying to me?”
Luo Mama sensed the danger in the Madam’s tone and quickly replied, “Madam, the Second Young Master’s future is in your hands. Now Yang Yiniang dares not be arrogant. She wouldn’t dare speak carelessly about such a major issue.”
Although saying the Second Young Master’s future was entirely in Madam Jiang’s hands was an exaggeration, Madam Jiang felt pleased when she heard it. She glanced at Luo Mama and said, “You make a good point. Let’s investigate first.”
“Madam, please don’t worry. The Master must be thinking about the shizi, he won’t overstep,” Luo Mama reassured.
Madam Jiang was troubled, hoping that was true, but where did Yang Yiniang get this information?
It certainly wasn’t from her own investigation, someone must have told her.
Who in this house could have told Yang Yiniang about this? It could only have been Mingxi.
Her own daughter, yet she had to rely on Yang Yiniang to convey this news to her. Madam Jiang was both angry and helpless.
It had to be said, Madam Jiang was rarely clever, but she had guessed correctly this time.
Madam Jiang’s maid had been following the master for three days. She returned with a serious expression.
“What did you say?” Madam Jiang nearly jumped up.
So it was true, Duan Wenshou had been keeping a mistress outside, and not just any mistress, but one from a brothel. This was like pressing her face to the ground!
Madam Jiang was so furious she trembled all over, gasping for breath before fainting.
Luo Mama, frightened, quickly ordered someone to call for a doctor. They had no idea what to do.
It was impossible to call the eldest daughter here, if the Madam woke up and saw her, she might faint again.
The Madam cared greatly about her face.
The only option was to call for the shizi!
Such a scandal, even Luo Mama dared not gossip about it. It was too shameful.
Luo Mama sent someone to the yamen to wait for the shizi, saying there was an urgent matter at home.
When Duan Yu returned to the manor, Madam Jiang had already been revived with a bowl of medicine. Her eyes were red, and when she saw her son, she burst into tears before she could say anything.
Duan Yu was startled. He had never seen his mother like this, and quickly approached to ask, “Mother, what happened?”
Madam Jiang didn’t know how to explain in front of her son, her expression sorrowful and awkward.
Luo Mama, seeing the situation, led the servants out of the room to keep them from overhearing.
Once the room was clear, Madam Jiang grabbed her son’s hand, and tears streamed down uncontrollably.
Duan Yu quickly grabbed a handkerchief to wipe her tears. He had never encountered this kind of situation, and felt a bit panicked. “Mother, please stop crying. First tell me what happened. Don’t worry, you have me.”
Upon hearing this, Madam Jiang calmed down and gripped her son’s hand, recounting the absurd situation with her husband.
Duan Yu: …
Madam Jiang said bitterly, “If he really had to take a concubine, he could have chosen any woman, but he picked one from a brothel. How will you and your second brother face the world now? If this gets out, it will be a laughingstock!”
It would have been bad enough if her husband was incapable of holding office, but he was dragging his sons down as well.
Looking at her son’s furrowed brow, Madam Jiang hesitated, then continued, “Duan Wang is currently leading troops in Yuxiang City, and Mingxi is betrothed to him. I’m afraid your father is being set up.”
Duan Yu could hardly sit still. “Mother, I will look into this matter thoroughly.”
Madam Jiang sighed with relief. She could only investigate who her husband was with, but couldn’t trace the background of the mistress. She had to rely on her son to investigate.
Duan Yu left with a grave expression. He didn’t go directly to investigate but first went to see Mingxi.
When passing by Duan Ning’s courtyard, he hesitated for a moment but decided to call him out.
Duan Ning had just returned from the Hanlin Academy, still wearing his official robes. Seeing his elder brother calling him out, he noticed his brother’s troubled expression but didn’t ask any questions. He just followed him.
When the two arrived at Mingxi’s place, Duan Yu explained the situation, and Duan Ning’s face immediately became tense.
Mingxi was also a bit surprised to see them, not expecting them to come to her first.
“Elder brother, what do you think?” Mingxi asked Duan Yu.
Since the mistress was from a brothel, her suspicions seemed reasonable.
“Naturally, we must investigate this thoroughly,” Duan Yu said in a deep voice.
“Then you should investigate on your own,” Mingxi said.
Duan Yu glanced at Duan Ning, and the two brothers exchanged looks.
Duan Yu slowly said, “I’m thinking about how to investigate, and what to do once we find the truth. If it’s really directed at you, do you have any thoughts?”
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